By Kyra Brown
Rodney Reed, an American convict, was found guilty by the state of Texas for the rape and murder of 19-year-old Stacy Stites in the year 1996. An 18-year struggle has ensued based on criminalizing evidence that was deemed criminalizing by an all-white jury.
There are some who consider Reed, a black man, a victim of the systematic development of racial injustice within our judicial system. Though this, of course, is up to discretion.
The evidence against Reed exists, though its accuracy and authenticity has remained in question from the very beginning.
Reed had not been introduced as a primary suspect until a year into the investigation when the DNA that was found on Stites’ was identified as his own.
The state’s call for execution, however, was not based only on evidence connecting his involvement to the murder of Stites, but also on charges that had sprung from allegations of his suspected cause of six different attacks on women.
Despite these allegations, Reed’s defense team has discovered flaws within the prosecution. As have many others who are in support of the possibility of Reed’s innocence.
Over two million people have signed a petition in support of Reed’s case, all of which signatures have come from the site “freerodneyreed.com” with even more signatures coming from various other sites.
This support system has morphed into a nation-wide phenomenon. In the months past, Reed has gained support in a multitude of ways. In July, Reed’s family traveled to Washington D.C to gain the attention of the U.S Supreme Court in hopes that Reed may be granted a new trial.
Rodrick Reed, Rodney’s brother, voiced his determination, “As long as he is still alive, and we are still alive we’re going to fight no matter what happens,”
Just on November 14th and 15th of this past weekend, a vigil was gathered here in Washington D.C by the Supreme Court Building with hopes of a delay of execution for Reed.
It seems as though this support has made a difference.
Reed has been granted a stay of execution by the state of Texas. However, according to his family, “the fight is not over”.
Reed remains in jail. The case continues.
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